The story of the haunted house with the strange lights and noises is also well - known. It has been passed down through generations in Clinton. It might be because it's a more relatable setting - a house - compared to an asylum or a train depot. People can easily imagine a haunted house in their neighborhood.
The haunted asylum story is very famous. As mentioned before, the sighting of the nurse's ghost makes it quite a spooky tale. It gives people the creeps just thinking about an old, dilapidated building with such a presence.
A somewhat lesser - known but still famous among the locals is the story of a ghostly figure seen near the river. It's said to be the spirit of a fisherman who drowned in the river long ago. Some have reported seeing a hazy figure on the riverbank, holding a fishing rod as if still waiting for a big catch.
There's also a story about a haunted house in Clinton. People who have passed by late at night claim to have seen strange lights flickering in the upstairs windows. Some say it was the home of a family that met a gruesome end many years ago, and their ghosts are trapped there. They've reported hearing eerie screams and the sound of furniture being moved around inside when no one should be there.
One of the most talked - about scary Iowa stories is about a lake. Locals claim that there's a monster - like creature in the deep waters. There have been sightings of a large, dark shape moving just beneath the surface, and some fishermen say their boats have been jolted by something unseen in the water.
A popular Marshalltown ghost story involves a riverboat captain. There used to be a bustling river trade in the area. The captain's boat sank, and he drowned. His ghost is said to haunt the riverbanks, and some fishermen claim to have seen his spectral figure on foggy mornings, as if he's still looking for his lost boat.
The phantom hitchhiker is one of the most famous. A driver picks up someone who then vanishes. Creepy.
The story of the Satanic cults in the area around Clinton Road is also well - known. There have been rumors for years that there are groups performing dark rituals in the secluded parts near Clinton Road. This has added to the spooky reputation of the place, making people a bit more afraid to explore the area, especially at night.
The scariest might be the story of the haunted asylum in Iowa. There were rumors of cruel experiments on patients in the past. Now, people claim to hear screams and see shadowy figures moving in the hallways at night.
One famous Iowa scary story could be about the haunted bridges in the state. There are tales of strange noises and apparitions near these old bridges at night. People claim to have heard the sound of horses' hooves when there are no horses around, and some have even reported seeing a ghostly figure standing on the bridge.
There's a story in Marshalltown about a lady in white who is often seen near the old cemetery. Legend has it that she was a young woman who died of a broken heart waiting for her lover to return from war. She now wanders the area, and some say if you approach her, you can feel a sudden chill.
One well - known University of Iowa ghost story is about the Old Capitol building. People claim to have seen a spectral figure in the hallways, perhaps a former politician or someone with a strong connection to the building's past. It's said that late at night, you can hear faint footsteps as if someone is pacing the corridors.
It's hard to say for sure. While there is no scientific evidence to support the existence of ghosts, the fact that so many people have reported strange experiences at the University of Iowa could be a sign that there is something more. Maybe there are environmental factors that cause people to feel or see things that they interpret as ghosts. For example, old buildings might have drafts that make it feel like a cold presence, or creaky floors that sound like footsteps.